Hi everyone! My name is Heather and I am a mom of a very bright 6yr old. We are going to meet with the school principal and teacher(we met alone with teacher already) and would love some advice. A little backround on DD. She went to a private school for preschool and they wanted to advance her into K in her second year. We contacted the Public School and they said they would not honor this placement until she had completed 1st grade there. Sadly, we did not have the funds to keep her there that long because of the high tuition because our financial situation had changed. Anyway fastforward to today. She is reading at a late 2nd early 3rd grade level and doing math in a late 1st early 2nd grade level (I know this b/c I was a third grade teacher and have used my materials to help assess where she is). Needless to say she is bored. We wanted to wait until conferences to see what the teacher noticed so we wouldn't come off as pushy. She is aware of how advanced DD is. She even gave her some of the typical first grade assesments for conferences. She did those with ease. She spoke with the principal b/c she wanted to see if she could take the first grade begining of the year assessment and see if grade advancement was an option. She is new to the grade leve(was a pre k teacher for 8 years in the district) and really isn't "experienced with this b/c she has never worked with a child this bright" The principal's answer on both questions was no. When I asked what kind of enrichment she could then get in school her teacher said in a nut shell none. She would in so many words have to follow what the rest would be following. She said our best bet was to continue to work with her at home. I explained that while we love nurturing her love of learning at home that after spending 6 hours at school I would like her to do other things besides come home and hit the books again. She in so many words said that was our best option until 3rd grade when she could be tested for the gifted/enrichment program. I was very sad. DD is bored, her work is getting sloppy, she no longer wants to do homework because it is for "babies". I personally think grade advancement is her best option. I know that in my state(a red one...lucky us) it is up to the district. I have researched and asked around and nobody is sure if they say no just to see if you will go away or if it is a firm no. I know of nobody who has advanced, but not sure it hasn't happened b/c I know it happens in the district nearby. We are planning a meeting now with the principal and the teacher to see what we can do b/c I do not wish to take the teachers answers as the final word. The problem is, I am not a good speaker( I get very nervous and don't get my message across) and my DH is very blunt(he isn't aggressive, but has a tendancy to be a little pushy). I would love to have a plan in writing before we go in so my DH can help lead, but in an appropriate way. I read the buzz words to avoid thread and many other and have some key ideas jotted down. I also think that me being a forme teacher makes me more hesitant to speak up b/c I know what teachers/administrators think of parents who try to get more. That they don't like to be told what they are doing isn't enough even when it is clear it isn't. Anyway, Here is what I have:
We wanted this meeting so we can plan the most effective educational arrangement for DD's level of capability
Revisit the idea of grade advancement as we feel it will allow DD to be challenged by increasing the level and pace of learning without her being seperated from the rest of the class(not that they seem open to this either)
If they say no way look into what they can do to provide individualized lessons or even subject acceleration.
I want to add that we haven't had her tested on our own yet as the teacher feels that will not help. Plus while I know she is very gifted, has a great memory and a real love of learning I am not sure she would even be a genius or an IQ off the charts(and wonder if that would impact any extra enrichment she may be able to get if she didn't test really high). We are having her tested to qualify for a gifted Saturday program through a university and the director feels that is a good stepping stone in seeing if it would be in our best interest to have her go through the full battery of testing. So please any suggestions on wording or ideas would help me so much. I am just so glad I found this website! Thanks in advance for any help.
